Sarah and Jodi reflect on the fast-paced spring planting season of 2025, sharing their experiences supporting customers with ADMS software and troubleshooting common prescription issues while managing rapidly changing field conditions. Situations and questions they cover: • When to dissolve prescriptions during the export process to optimize controller compatibility • Understanding the difference between hard breaks and interpolation in prescription maps • Why you should never dissolve a fully i...
Jul 11, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Using the correct UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) zone is crucial when working with GIS data mapped to a UTM zone. We explain how projections work to translate locations from Earth's spherical surface to flat maps, and why UTM zones are critical for accurate agricultural mapping. • UTM divides Earth into 60 zones, each six degrees of longitude wide • UTM choice errors cause maps to appear in completely wrong locations, like oceans • Creating maps in the wrong UTM zone leads to unusable presc...
Jul 02, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Travis Yeik joins us for part two of our deep dive into the interaction of artificial intelligence and humans in agriculture, exploring current applications and future possibilities of this transformative technology in farming. We chat about... • Weather forecasting is already utilizing AI to provide crucial planning information to farmers • Precision agriculture applications include weed identification, disease monitoring, and targeted spraying • Livestock operations benefit from AI monitoring ...
Jun 25, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Precision agriculture focuses on treating different parts of a field according to their unique yield potential instead of applying the same approach everywhere. Variable rate applications start with establishing realistic yield goals for different areas within a field based on their consistent performance patterns. In this episode, Sarah and Jodi discuss: • Using historical yield data to determine which areas consistently yield higher or lower • Combining yield history with grid soil sampling da...
Jun 18, 2025•10 min•Season 2Ep. 9
We explore the future of human decision-making in precision agriculture and the role artificial intelligence might play in supporting – not replacing – farmers. • Travis Yeik brings unique perspective from his background in farming, agronomy, and software development • AI has existed since the 1950s but recent advances in computing power and algorithms have accelerated development • Farmers must make complex decisions integrating agronomy, mechanics, business, finance and weather variables • Cur...
Jun 11, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 9
We tackle a common technical prescription writing question in this Tiny Byte: what does it mean to place a prescription on the root of a drive and why does it matter. Understanding this simple concept can solve many frustrating issues when loading prescriptions onto different monitors. • The "root" of a drive is the main directory—the blank space you see when first opening the drive • Different farm equipment requires prescription files in specific locations • Page 203 of the 2025 ADMS User Manu...
Jun 11, 2025•6 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Hudson Fuller, computer scientist and GK Technologies' newest software developer, discusses the upcoming ADMS software updates and his agricultural background while sharing insights into his current projects and future aspirations. • Working on transitioning ADMS to the new .NET framework after Microsoft's discontinuation of the current framework • Emphasizes that users will notice minimal differences with the update, possibly just crisper-looking buttons • Explains the importance of diverse bug...
May 28, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 8
We explore the fundamentals of digital storage and how it powers precision agriculture, covering basic bytes to the massive petabyte servers at GK Technology that store agricultural imagery and data. • A byte equals eight binary bits and typically represents a single character or piece of data in computer language • Digital storage units progress from kilobytes (thousand) to megabytes (million) to gigabytes (billion) to terabytes (trillion) to petabytes (thousand terabytes) • GK Technology's Hal...
May 21, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Hudson Fuller, GK Technology's newest full-time employee and computer science graduate, shares his journey from baseball player to agricultural data specialist working on the ADAPT standard integration. • Hudson's connection to GK began through family ties and company retreats before pursuing internships during college • Completed a computer science degree at Dakota State University while playing college baseball • Created an AI baseball pitch predictor that achieved 80% accuracy in predicting p...
May 14, 2025•30 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Plant tissue testing offers farmers and consultants valuable insight into crop nutrient status and helps diagnose field issues when properly conducted. We explain the science behind tissue testing and share practical tips for getting actionable results. • Tissue testing can help to evaluate nutrient status to understand crop health at various growth stages • Troubleshoot field issues by comparing samples from healthy and problematic areas • It is important to sample the correct plant part accord...
Apr 30, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 6
We continue our conversation this week with precision ag geek Shawn Kasprick of Simplot. Shawn shares how precision agriculture capabilities have evolved from floppy disks to satellite imagery, letting farmers see their operations all the way through from farm to field application. Some topics we cover in this episode: • Adapting precision agriculture for orchards with specialized equipment that applies fertilizer between rows • Creating variable rate soil-applied herbicide maps based on soil pr...
Apr 16, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Shawn Kasprick shares his journey from farm kid to precision agriculture pioneer with Simplot Grower Solutions, detailing how early developments in the field shaped the technology farmers use today. In the episode, Sarah and Jodi sit down with Shawn and discuss Shawn's background growing up on a farm in Walsh County North Dakota Shawn's educational background, which includes dual bachelor's degrees in Crop and Weed Sciences and Soil Science from NDSU and a master's in Agronomy from Iowa State Un...
Mar 26, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Field boundaries serve as the digital cookie cutters of precision agriculture, defining where field operations begin and end for optimal resource management. Understanding their purpose and creation methods allows consultants and growers to implement more precise applications and better predict input needs. • Boundaries determine where equipment turns on and off during field operations • Accurate boundaries help predict input requirements and prevent waste • Vector files (typically shape files) ...
Mar 20, 2025•8 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Kurt Turner and Lane Bothwell from Ag Genesis share their innovative "gridding the zone" approach that combines traditional zone mapping with targeted grid sampling to address pH variability in eastern South Dakota fields. They've discovered that their most productive field zones often hide significant pH problems that can be economically addressed through this hybrid sampling method. • Field topography in Eastern South Dakota creates extreme yield variability (corn yields ranging 100-240 bushel...
Mar 12, 2025•31 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Awareness of nutrient mobility in plants drastically improves in-field diagnosis of crop issues. In this episode, we dive deep into plant nutrient mobility and how nutrient mobility impacts visual symptoms in the field. • Discussion on the concept of nutrient mobility • Insights into mobile vs. immobile nutrient deficiencies • Importance of tissue testing for accurate diagnoses Relatively immobile nutrients (symptoms will appear on newest leaf tissue): S, Zn, Fe, Cu, B, Ca, Mn, Mo, Ni Relatively...
Mar 05, 2025•10 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Engaging with the evolving world of precision agriculture, this discussion sheds light on the unique relationship between technology and crop consulting. Our guests, Kurt Turner and Lane Bothwell of Ag Genesis Inc, bring their expertise to the table, sharing insights into the operational dynamics of the perfect duo: a precision ag and computer geek and soil sampling enthusiast. We discuss - Introduction of Ag Genesis and its creation - Key role of ADMS software in the crop consulting business - ...
Feb 26, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Jodi and Sarah explore the crucial distinction between mobile and non-mobile nutrients in soil. Understanding how these nutrients behave not only aids in effective soil sampling but also enhances soil fertility management, providing fertilizer users with the knowledge they need to maximize returns on their fertilizer dollars. They cover • Mobile vs. non-mobile nutrients • Nutrient behavior based on soil charge • Cation exchange capacity (CEC) and nutrient adhesion • Sampling strategies for mobil...
Feb 19, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Ag with Emma, a leading voice in agriculture, shares her journey from novice to practical mastery in field mapping with ADMS. Through engaging anecdotes and expert guidance from mentors like Kyle Okke, Emma's passion for mapping shines through. She emphasizes the unique blend of science and artistry involved in creating accurate agricultural maps, while also highlighting the importance of personalized learning approaches in mastering these complex systems. Our conversation dives deep into the me...
Feb 12, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Jodi and Sarah talk about what's available in GK Technology's expansive imagery library. The library offers subscribers access to Landsat, Sentinel, NAIP, and Lidar data layers. They discuss further... • Significance of multi-layer data in agriculture • GK Technology's robust imagery library • Different types of imagery available and their resolutions • Importance of ongoing updates to data for accuracy • Discussion on the geographical coverage of data • Emphasis on accessible resources for all ...
Jan 29, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 1
With over 750,000 followers online, Ag with Emma is one of the most influential voices in American agriculture. In this episode, Sarah and Jodi sit down with Emma to chat about her journey from growing up in rural Idaho to building a dynamic career exploring agriculture and sharing her experiences online. From working in western North Dakota to gaining global experience in Australia, Emma shares how she’s navigated the ever-evolving world of agriculture and harnessed the power of social media to...
Jan 23, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Soil series names hold invaluable information that can inform land use and agricultural practices. Join us as we explore soil series and their characteristics, featuring insights on collecting data, understanding soil maps, and highlighting the significance of favorite series like Fargo and Williams. • Soil series names relate to specific regions and provide insight into soil characteristics • The importance of five soil-forming factors in classification • How to access soil survey data for info...
Jan 15, 2025•20 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Back in July, Sarah and Jodi sat down with the whole GK Technology, Inc. team at the annual GK Tech summer retreat. In the discussion that follows, we celebrate growth, innovation, and camaraderie. Listen to hear Darin's reflections on founding the company, Kelly's pivotal role in boosting sales, Cheryl's witty take on finance, and more. We share how GK has expanded our available data library storage to over a petabyte, moving from USB thumb drives to hot server rooms. We also explore the transf...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Join us as we celebrate a year of the Ag Geek Speak podcast. Journey with us through the highlights of our first year, from the launch of the Tiny Bytes segment and launch of the GK Field Mapper app. We extend our heartfelt thanks and holiday wishes, and are eagerly looking forward to bringing you more insightful conversations and fresh content ideas in the new year. Google/YouTube Ag Geek Speak Podcast Feed: https://www.youtube.com/@geektechforag Episodes Mentioned: Digging Deep into Soil Scien...
Dec 18, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge innovations shaping precision agriculture. We dive deeper into ADMS with software developer Travis Yeik, talk turning digital signals into hydraulic actions, and dive deep into artificial intelligence (AI).
Dec 11, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Our latest episode of Tiny Bytes dives into the fascinating world of satellite navigation. Discover the differences between GPS and GNSS, learn how satellite triangulation ensures precise positioning, and explore the transformative role of differential systems like WAAS and RTK in precision agriculture. With practical insights into multi-system receivers and the science behind satellite signals, this episode equips you with knowledge to navigate both the tech and trivia of satellite systems. Per...
Dec 04, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Elevate your understanding of modern agriculture with Travis Yeik, a trailblazer in precision agriculture technology. From his ranching roots in southeastern Wyoming to his role as software developer at GK Technology, Travis' journey is a testament to creativity and hard work. Learn how his agricultural background has shaped his success in programming, blending cutting-edge technology with real-world farming needs. Explore the fascinating world of remote sensing and its innovative applications i...
Dec 04, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 22
It is one thing to have a variable rate map. It is another to have a variable rate map on a controller. In this episode of Tiny Bytes, we dive into the basics of exporting prescriptions. In this episode, we talk polygons, polygon count limits, vertices, and file size constraints. Whether you're working with modern systems or legacy equipment, this episode equips you with the basics to help you better understand the prescription making process. GK Technology supports farmers by bridging the gap b...
Nov 27, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Join us for a lively and insightful conversation as we dive into the world of soil sampling with special guests Kyle Okke, Jason Hanson, and Lane Bothwell, who with us, Ag Geek Speak, form the Montana Mafia. This group spent a couple of days in eastern Montana collecting soil samples for Kyle Okke, and put the GK Field Mapper app to the soil sample test. Together, we explore the challenges, innovations, and camaraderie that make soil sampling both a science and an art. We share stories from the ...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 53 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Join Sarah and Jodi as they discuss the role of satellite imagery, its various sources, and how to select quality satellite imagery for use in precision agriculture applications. Jodi and Sarah cover NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) analysis and its relationship with crop yield, guiding smarter management of field crops. They share real-world experiences with tools like ADMS and insights into sourcing reliable imagery from platforms like Sentinel, NAIP, and Landsat. This is a great ...
Nov 20, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Unearth the secrets of soil science with our insightful guest, Tom DeSutter, as we navigate the fascinating landscape of soil classification and its vital role in agriculture. Discover how the unique vertisol soils of North Dakota's Red River Valley challenge and inspire local farmers, and learn why understanding soil taxonomy is akin to mastering the Latin naming system for plants and animals. Gain a deeper appreciation for the impact of soil composition on farming decisions, and how the presen...
Nov 20, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 20
